Case Of the Month

Cardiomegaly

“When in doubt, put a needle in it…..carefully”. Cardiomegaly in a cat doesn’t mean just heart failure or neoplasia.

Presenting radiographic history: “Wow that’s the biggest cat heart I have ever seen.” The diagnosis was just a probe and a needle away. Case managed by Dr. Christine Stockmal at American AH, Randolph, New Jersey . Imaging by Dr. Eric Lindquist of SonoPath.com & New Jersey Mobile Associates.

Sonogram: Jasmine the cardiomegaly cat

“When in doubt, put a needle in it…..carefully”. Cardiomegaly in a cat doesn’t mean just heart failure or neoplasia.

Sonogram: Jasmine the cardiomegaly cat

History: This 13- year-old DSH FS cat presented for lethargy, anorexia and tachypnea. The patient has a history of diabetes, labored breathing, weakness in the hind limbs, anemia. Hematocrit 25.4, BUN 61, urine specific gravity 1.022, WBC 35000 with monocytosis. The radiographs revealed severe cardiomegaly.

Outcome

Cardiac fluid analysis revealed intracellular and extracellular cocci bacteria forming chains. Culture revealed Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus 3+. Cytological Dx: Septic suppurative pericarditis.

Comments

**Special thanks to Dr. Christine Stockmal & staff at American Animal Hospital, Randolph, New Jersey, USA for the clinical management of this case.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

(Remo Lobetti PhD, DECVIM):

Cardiac disease – dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pericardial effusion
Renal disease – chronic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, neoplasia, renoliths
Pulmonary thrombo-embolic disease.